Guides / Materials
IP Ratings Explained for Custom Enclosure Design
November 1, 2026
An IP rating tells you how well an enclosure keeps out solids and water. The first digit is solids, the second is water. Getting the right one matters, because every step up adds cost.
The ratings you will meet most
| Rating | Solids | Water | Typical place |
|---|---|---|---|
| IP20 | Fingers | None | Inside a cabinet |
| IP54 | Dust protected | Splashing | Indoor factory floor |
| IP65 | Dust tight | Water jets | Washdown, sheltered outdoor |
| IP66 | Dust tight | Powerful jets | Outdoor, heavy washdown |
| IP67 | Dust tight | Temporary immersion | Flooding risk, outdoor ground level |
What each rating needs in the design
IP54 is often reached with a folded lip, a simple gasket and covered vents. IP65 needs a continuous gasket in a groove or on a flange, enough screws or a hinge and lock to compress it evenly and sealed cutouts. IP67 adds stiffer walls so the gasket stays compressed and usually machined sealing faces.
The weak points
- Cutouts for connectors and displays
- Cable entries and glands
- Corners where gasket joints meet
- Vents and fans
A box rated IP65 with an unrated connector is not IP65.
How to specify it
State the rating, where the enclosure is installed, whether it is cleaned with water jets and the temperature range. If you need a test report, say so in the request so the quote includes testing.
Frequently asked questions
Is a higher IP rating always better?
No. Higher ratings need more seals, tighter tolerances and testing. Specify the rating the environment needs, not the highest one.
Do cable glands affect the rating?
Yes. The enclosure is only as tight as its weakest opening. Glands and connectors must carry the same rating.
Have an enclosure to make?
Send the drawing or the parts that go inside. We reply within 24 business hours.
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